Specialist Training

[Ribakop]

Hi guys! I'm new here and I want to ask something.

Can you undergo specialist training after you pass selection for the Parachute Regiment?

Like how the Royal Marines can undertake specialist sniper training. Can a soldier in the Parachute Regiment also undertake sniper training? Or is it just restricted to the Marines?

I want to know because sniping is very appealing to me. But if I could, I'd rather be one in the Paras.

[Alfa]

Yes, there is the option to become a sniper in the Paras.

[Ribakop]

Yes, there is the option to become a sniper in the Paras.

Could I have some sort of link or other kind of source please?

Also if it wouldn't be too much trouble. could you explain how you go about applying for the training? Do you just tell your C.O. or what?

And finally do you have to wait until you can apply or can you do it once you're fresh out of training?

[Alfa]

Could I have some sort of link or other kind of source please?

http://www.army.mod.uk/para/3bn/home.htm


There's some pics of snipers from 3 Para on that link. Nothing about the actual sniper cadre though. Just found another link which goes into more detail on the sniper course:

http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/b ... aining.asp

Also if it wouldn't be too much trouble. could you explain how you go about applying for the training? Do you just tell your C.O. or what?

I'm not actually in the Paras so I'm not 100% sure but I believe you can put in a request to attend the sniper course but I doubt it'd be an easy course to get onto and an even harder one to pass.

And finally do you have to wait until you can apply or can you do it once you're fresh out of training?

In a word no, there's no way you'd have the level of field craft to even be considered for the sniper course straight away. My best guess is you'd have to put in a couple of years in a Rilfe Company first.

[commandocrazy]

I think its the Royal Marines who train them though. Royal also teach special forces etc in sniping. Someone else will probably add to this though as i don't know for definite

[Sarastro]

If you don't know for definite, why do you bother posting?

Before this turns into a wahfest, no it isn't the RM who teach them. There has recently been an sniper school set up which takes on Army applicants for sniper training from all regiments. I'm sure there might be the odd bootneck sniper there, but it's hardly the same thing. This was only a couple of years ago in response to Iraq/Afghan, so that 2001 page is probably out of date Alfa.

By the way, part of the reason for setting up a school is to make sure that all regiments have a significant sniper cadre, and I believe there has been some talk about making Brigade level sniper platoons, as commanders in the field have found them so useful. That, and the school (though competition for places is high) is open to applicants throughout the Army (perhaps All Arms, can't remember) so though obviously an inf background is probably necessary to learn fieldcraft, there are many units with which you can trade as a sniper.

[Ribakop]

Could I have some sort of link or other kind of source please?

http://www.army.mod.uk/para/3bn/home.htm


There's some pics of snipers from 3 Para on that link. Nothing about the actual sniper cadre though. Just found another link which goes into more detail on the sniper course:

http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/b ... aining.asp

Also if it wouldn't be too much trouble. could you explain how you go about applying for the training? Do you just tell your C.O. or what?

I'm not actually in the Paras so I'm not 100% sure but I believe you can put in a request to attend the sniper course but I doubt it'd be an easy course to get onto and an even harder one to pass.

And finally do you have to wait until you can apply or can you do it once you're fresh out of training?

In a word no, there's no way you'd have the level of field craft to even be considered for the sniper course straight away. My best guess is you'd have to put in a couple of years in a Rilfe Company first.

Just e-mailed the online office.

Hi, thank you for contacting the Online Office.
To be a sniper you would have to serve in the infantry for about 3 or 4 years, if at this time they considered you good enough you could apply for sniper training.

It does not talk specifically about the Paras though.

Edit: Is there a specific number or e-mail I could contact for this matter? The online chat is pretty useless as all they ever do is copy and paste information.

Would my local Army Careers Information Office be a good place to start? Or the Armed Force Careers Office? They're two separate numbers. But the offices are like 1 mile apart from each other. Pretty pointless.

[Sarastro]

Para Reg is part of the infantry. You've been linked the 3 PARA sniper cadre page, which would seem to suggest that yes, there are snipers in Para Reg. You could also read any recent book about Para Reg and multiple news articles which talk to Para Reg snipers. You have been told multiple times here that yes, you can trade as a sniper from Para Reg.

= You can be a sniper in Para Reg. Science Fact.

What more are you looking for?

[Ribakop]

Para Reg is part of the infantry. You've been linked the 3 PARA sniper cadre page, which would seem to suggest that yes, there are snipers in Para Reg. You could also read any recent book about Para Reg and multiple news articles which talk to Para Reg snipers. You have been told multiple times here that yes, you can trade as a sniper from Para Reg.

= You can be a sniper in Para Reg. Science Fact.

What more are you looking for?

Bit rough weren't you? I'd rather be safe than sorry.

But yeah, I guess all of this can be answered when I actually talk to a recruiter at an office. So thanks for all the replies.

On a completely unrelated topic. Can I ask just why the Royal Marines are so much more popular here than other branches of the army? I know it's a stupid question but it's just one of those things you can't help wondering about.

[Alfa]

Bit rough weren't you? I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Erm no he wasn't, you keep banging on about the same thing after your question has been answered.

However if you want complete confirmation, one of my Corporals on my last platoon was a sniper, so there you go, proof beyond doubt that you can be a Sniper in the Paras.

Sarastro about the link being out of date, you're probably right. To be honest I never really checked it throughly, I just googled it and that was the first thing that came up about Para Reg snipers so posted it for him to look at, lazy I know but.....

[Sarastro]

Bit rough weren't you? I'd rather be safe than sorry.

But yeah, I guess all of this can be answered when I actually talk to a recruiter at an office. So thanks for all the replies.

Not really. Especially since you still seem to think it needs to be answered; people here take their time to reply to you, and you just ignore all the answers and keep asking the same question. Why bother asking if you clearly don't trust our answers?

On a completely unrelated topic. Can I ask just why the Royal Marines are so much more popular here

Because there are (or used to be) lots of bootnecks on the forums.

than other branches of the army?

Oh god, incoming. I'm off!

[jammin87]

Looks like you beat me to it Sarastro.